Lighting up the Malaysian rap scene Kidd Santhe style

At one glance, it might appear as though the local rap scene has not been creating much of a buzz like it did wayyyy back during the heydays of Poetic Ammo.

But look closer, and you’ll discover a plethora of talents. Ever heard of Kidd Santhe?

Born Parssanth Navaratnam, the 21-year-old is a new breed of Malaysian rappers who are not only creatively talented, but extremely entrepreneurial too!

Being part of a creative collective who call themselves Monster Sound – founded by DJ Biggie and his partner Orealia Soliano in 2015 – Kidd says the aim of the collective is to educate and form a community of creatives like no other.

“From DJ-ing to song writing to music production and even talent management. We are currently based in Kuala Lumpur,” he explains.

The movement desires to make a difference in the Malaysian music scene by always keeping in mind to diversify music content. Kidd is at the forefront of this movement and among the many young talented musicians who are good at what they do on stage and off stage.

Gone are the days when Malaysian musicians passed the buck to someone else to handle their marketing and event management. This is an entirely new hybrid of rappers.

We highly recommend checking out the official video of Litnya above to give you a taste of what we mean. Not only is Kidd Santhe’s rap dope, the music video is kick ass too.

Hailing from Sri Petaling, Kidd reveals to me a much more softer side – a stark contrast to the bad assery you see in his music videos.

“I don’t really have much hobbies honestly, I spend a lot of my free time with my small circle of friends and my family,” he tells me through a Facebook conversation.

While in his music videos he appears pissed off much of the time, Kidd says he enjoys taking long drives visiting random places filled with greenery. Waterfalls and beaches are his favorite.

“Once at 4am, me and my buddy made a spontaneous decision to head to Pulau Pangkor for a day trip. We initially just wanted to grab some root beers and a couple waffles at A&Ws,” he quips.

Our conversation then went on to the pronunciation of his stage name. And the rest, well, you’ve got to read it for yourself.

First up, how do you pronounce Santhe? What does Kidd Santhe mean and how did you decide on this name?

Kidd Santhe is pronounced as “Kidd San-Tay”. I got the name at age 17. DJ Biggie started addressing me as Kidd when I first started taking music very seriously. I guess everyone started picking up on the nickname. It makes sense because I’m pretty much the youngest in the entire Monster Sound team. I got Santhe from my mom. She only ever addresses me as Santhe whenever she’s mad at me. So when you put the two together you get, well, Kidd Santhe!

You’re fairly new in the local rap scene and yet you’re already trailblazin! Litnya was kickass. Can you share with us who are the rappers who’ve inspired you?

Thank you, I’m glad I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback for my music. I’m very thankful for the love and support that I’ve gotten throughout this journey. I love all of y’all for believing in me. I don’t really have much rappers that inspire me, besides J.Cole, Kanye and Kid Cudi. I grew up listening to a lot of oldies like Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Kenny Rogers. Till this day I still blast soul music in my car.

I love the oldies too! Any plans to release a single/EP/album in the near future?

I’ve got a lot more music coming out this year. If I were to name any in particular I’d have to kill you. Pew pew.

Shit, we don’t want that. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced at the local music scene?

I never paid much attention to said “challenges” so I wouldn’t want to speak on it. I would rather take the time and energy and invest it into something more positive like making sure I come up with more songs that can relate to the kids like you and me.

Aww thanks Kidd, but I have a kid of my own to be deemed a kid, I kid you not. But what are some of the stuff that can be improved when it comes to local music? And how can they be improved?

Our local music scene is buzzing. It’s growing and when there is growth there is always a need for improvement. That’s a really important concept right there. I think we need way more support because there are so many amazing talents out here grinding day in and day out but we just need a wider platform to distribute and expand our reach. Have you heard of this dude, Gardohgard? If you haven’t, google him and listen to his music.

I will! Okay, last question. What on earth does ‘Litnya’ mean bro?

Lit is street lingo for “hot”. Example; “THE PARTY Lit”. Lit is also past tense for “Light’. I wrote that song with DJ Biggie when we realises how much KL kids were using it. There’s no such word as “LITNYA” hence why the both of us thought it would be a good idea to come up with an anthem.

Damn, speaking to Kidd Santhe definitely made me feel extremely ancient! Follow Kidd on Soundcloud. Follow Monster Sound on Facebook. We’re also on the look out for local indie rappers for a feature. Know someone or anyone? Tag em below or email us at editors@eksentrika.com Peace!

Supported by:

Sponsored

What’s On

Event Details

Peter, Ilya and Bryan are

more

Event Details

Peter, Ilya and Bryan are the best of friends. The three are working hard to make it big in the city of KL, chasing their dreams to perform on the big stage. They work hard, singing and dancing their way through each show. Throughout the journey, they have set backs but they do not give up. They cheer each other on and continue paving a way for a brighter future for themselves.

Time

Location

Event Details

After a year of Broadway

more

Event Details

After a year of Broadway music, Beethoven and Sudirman, klpac kicks of its 2018 concert season with a bold Russian programme. Music Director and Resident Conductor Lee Kok Leong leads the klpac Orchestra in A Mix of Russian featuring renowned pianist Albert Tiu. With a focus on well-known Russian repertoires such as Mikhail Glinka’s Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major, Op. 44 and Vasily Kalinnokov’s Symphony No. 1 in G Minor, this concert is a rare chance to experience the best of Russian compositions all in one sitting.

Time

Event Details

Peter, Ilya and Bryan are

more

Event Details

Peter, Ilya and Bryan are the best of friends. The three are working hard to make it big in the city of KL, chasing their dreams to perform on the big stage. They work hard, singing and dancing their way through each show. Throughout the journey, they have set backs but they do not give up. They cheer each other on and continue paving a way for a brighter future for themselves.

Time

Location

Event Details

After a year of Broadway

more

Event Details

After a year of Broadway music, Beethoven and Sudirman, klpac kicks of its 2018 concert season with a bold Russian programme. Music Director and Resident Conductor Lee Kok Leong leads the klpac Orchestra in A Mix of Russian featuring renowned pianist Albert Tiu. With a focus on well-known Russian repertoires such as Mikhail Glinka’s Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major, Op. 44 and Vasily Kalinnokov’s Symphony No. 1 in G Minor, this concert is a rare chance to experience the best of Russian compositions all in one sitting.

FLASH SALE: Discounts up to RM10 from March 3 – 4! Only applicable via walk-in or phone purchase.

School Booking
With every booking of 10 tickets in SINGLE transaction, 1 complimentary ticket will be provided for the chaperone teacher. Please contact Jennifer / Oxford / Vaideggy at 603 4047 9000 or email jennifer@klpac.org (Applicable for any price range / date).

FLASH SALE: Discounts up to RM10 from March 3 – 4! Only applicable via walk-in or phone purchase.

School Booking
With every booking of 10 tickets in SINGLE transaction, 1 complimentary ticket will be provided for the chaperone teacher. Please contact Jennifer / Oxford / Vaideggy at 603 4047 9000 or email jennifer@klpac.org (Applicable for any price range / date).

Time

Location

Event Details

No microphones. No speakers. No

more

Event Details

No microphones. No speakers. No cables. No extensions. Malam Sayu Berpuisi is raw and wild just like the night.
Held outdoors in the nights under a banyan tree at The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, you will find poets accompanied by live improvised music by Feel Tu Penting.
No, the poets will not be reading from a piece of paper or from their phones. They will be performing the poems. Entry is free, but there’ll be a beggar going around seeking contributions to support the artistes.
Please bring your own raincoat or umbrella in case it rains. For those who don’t, a giant banana leaf will be provided.

Time

Location

Event Details

We turn the clock back

more

Event Details

We turn the clock back in time to bring you timeless classics by Nat King Cole, The Platters, Doris Day, The Drifters, Cliff Richard, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, The Hollies and many more. Pentas 2 will be transformed into a lounge. Relax and unwind to the tunes of Fly Me to the Moon, Only You, Stupid Cupid, Oh Carol, Yesterday Once More and Hey Jude sung by a whole host of singers backed by 4-piece band and string trio.

FLASH SALE: Discounts up to RM10 from March 3 – 4! Only applicable via walk-in or phone purchase.

School Booking
With every booking of 10 tickets in SINGLE transaction, 1 complimentary ticket will be provided for the chaperone teacher. Please contact Jennifer / Oxford / Vaideggy at 603 4047 9000 or email jennifer@klpac.org (Applicable for any price range / date).

Time

Location

Event Details

We turn the clock back

more

Event Details

We turn the clock back in time to bring you timeless classics by Nat King Cole, The Platters, Doris Day, The Drifters, Cliff Richard, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, The Hollies and many more. Pentas 2 will be transformed into a lounge. Relax and unwind to the tunes of Fly Me to the Moon, Only You, Stupid Cupid, Oh Carol, Yesterday Once More and Hey Jude sung by a whole host of singers backed by 4-piece band and string trio.

Time

Location

Event Details

We turn the clock back

more

Event Details

We turn the clock back in time to bring you timeless classics by Nat King Cole, The Platters, Doris Day, The Drifters, Cliff Richard, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, The Hollies and many more. Pentas 2 will be transformed into a lounge. Relax and unwind to the tunes of Fly Me to the Moon, Only You, Stupid Cupid, Oh Carol, Yesterday Once More and Hey Jude sung by a whole host of singers backed by 4-piece band and string trio.

FLASH SALE: Discounts up to RM10 from March 3 – 4! Only applicable via walk-in or phone purchase.

School Booking
With every booking of 10 tickets in SINGLE transaction, 1 complimentary ticket will be provided for the chaperone teacher. Please contact Jennifer / Oxford / Vaideggy at 603 4047 9000 or email jennifer@klpac.org (Applicable for any price range / date).

Time

Location

Event Details

We turn the clock back

more

Event Details

We turn the clock back in time to bring you timeless classics by Nat King Cole, The Platters, Doris Day, The Drifters, Cliff Richard, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, The Hollies and many more. Pentas 2 will be transformed into a lounge. Relax and unwind to the tunes of Fly Me to the Moon, Only You, Stupid Cupid, Oh Carol, Yesterday Once More and Hey Jude sung by a whole host of singers backed by 4-piece band and string trio.

Time

Location

Event Details

We turn the clock back

more

Event Details

We turn the clock back in time to bring you timeless classics by Nat King Cole, The Platters, Doris Day, The Drifters, Cliff Richard, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, The Hollies and many more. Pentas 2 will be transformed into a lounge. Relax and unwind to the tunes of Fly Me to the Moon, Only You, Stupid Cupid, Oh Carol, Yesterday Once More and Hey Jude sung by a whole host of singers backed by 4-piece band and string trio.